ST JOHN Ambulance stalwart and teacher Andrea Yates has passed away aged 62.

Andrea was well known for her long service with Portland’s St John Ambulance, after joining up in 1978.

She had followed her late parents, George and Hilda Comben, into the service and had served as divisional secretary, cadet officer and first aid trainer.

Mrs Yates attended Weymouth Grammar School and went on to train as a teacher at Weymouth College before working for many years at Thornlow School in Weymouth.

During this time she helped out at the Palace Youth Club in Easton, the Gateway club in Weymouth and also set up a holiday play scheme on Portland.

After leaving teaching she worked for many years as a development officer for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

She moved from Portland in 2002 to spend a year living on a canal boat before settling in Market Drayton, where she joined St John Ambulance.

After a short time there she became treasurer and then officer-in-charge, taking the division through its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2009.

When illness struck her last year, she returned to Portland to stay with her daughter Elizabeth Lewis.

A remembrance service for Andrea, who died earlier this month, was held at Easton Methodist Church, following her funeral service at Weymouth Crematorium.

Portland St John Ambulance was well represented at the celebration service, which was also attended by a senior officer.

Friend Terry Shakespeare said: “Andrea was devoted to St John Ambulance where I valued her as a colleague and a close friend.”

Andrea is survived by her daughter Elizabeth, son Christopher and two grandchildren.